Under seat cargo management system for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A selectively deployable cargo management system for a vehicle includes at least one cargo attachment device positioned on an underside of a foldable vehicle seat. The cargo attachment device may include a plurality of cargo hooks or projections attached to a seat cover on the underside of a vehicle seat so that the hooks may be manually or automatically deployed when the vehicle seat is placed in its folded position. Manually deployable hooks may be concealed beneath a foldable panel having one side removably secured to the seat underside so that the hooks may remain concealed when the foldable seat is in either position. The system may also include a storage compartment disposed beneath a foldable vehicle seat with one or more cargo hanging projections attached thereto. A device to secure the cargo management devices to a second vehicle seating component may also be provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices disposed under a foldingvehicle seat used to manage cargo.

BACKGROUND ART

Flexibility in configuring a vehicle interior to accommodate a varyingnumber of passengers in addition to cargo of different shapes and sizesis a feature that consumers demand in various types of vehicles,including automobiles, trucks, and watercraft, for example.Reconfigurable seating options often provide for a significant increasein the area available to transport cargo when needed. However, cargorestraint or management systems are typically not provided for thisreconfigurable space. Various types of OEM and after-market accessorieshave been developed for use in organizing and securing cargo. However,currently available cargo management, organization, and/or restraintsystems, may also occupy significant space when not in use, or may beremoved from the vehicle so that they are not available when needed. Anumber of cargo management systems provide storage compartments,netting, pockets, or hooks on various interior trim panels, such as seatbacks or door panels for example, to secure various types of cargo.However, these systems may detract from the aesthetic appeal of thevehicle interior as they are always exposed whether or not they arebeing used. In addition, positioning of cargo management devices on theback of vehicle seats may not be an available option for various vehicleseating configurations that include fold-down and/or back-to-backseating, i.e. a rearward facing seat against a forward facing seat, asoften found in small trucks, aircraft, and watercraft, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a selectively deployable cargo managementsystem for a vehicle including at least one cargo attachment devicepositioned on an underside of a foldable vehicle seat. The cargomanagement system may include one or more types of cargo managementdevices to secure cargo when the seat is in its folded position and/orwhen the seat is being used.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a plurality of cargohooks attached to a seat cover on the underside of a foldable vehicleseat so that the hooks may be manually or automatically deployed whenthe vehicle seat is placed in its folded position. Manually deployablehooks may be concealed beneath a foldable panel having one sideremovably secured to the seat underside so that the hooks may remainconcealed when the seat is in either position. The present invention mayalso include a device to secure the plurality of cargo hooks to a secondvehicle seating component to secure the foldable seat in its foldedposition and/or accommodate heavier cargo. In one embodiment, thesecuring device includes a strap to hold the seat in its foldedposition. Another embodiment includes an integrated hook to secure afoldable panel in an open position to a second seating component.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include a cargo managementsystem having a storage compartment or box disposed under a foldablevehicle seat with an opening positioned to be accessible at least whenthe seat is moved from a seating position to a folded position. Thestorage compartment may include a substantially solid bottom surfacethat includes one or more integral cargo hooks that may extend from thebottom surface to the interior and/or exterior of the storagecompartment. Alternatively, one or more discrete or connected cargohooks may be secured to a storage compartment or pocket comprised atleast partially of a flexible material, such as fabric or netting.

The present invention provides a number of advantages. For example, thepresent invention provides a flexible cargo management feature that isconcealed beneath a vehicle seat and is therefore more aestheticallypleasing. In addition, the present invention may include various cargomanagement devices that remain concealed from view until manuallydeployed, regardless of whether the vehicle seat is in a seating(deployed) position or folded position. The invention may be used tosecure cargo beneath the seat when in its deployed position in additionto being used when the seat is in a folded position. Various embodimentsof the invention provide cargo management hooks positioned beneath afoldable vehicle seat that offer additional support for heavier cargoand secure the seat in the folded position using an associated strap. Acargo management system according to the present invention may beintegrated into the underside of a vehicle seat cover to facilitate arunning-change implementation rather than making relatively costlychanges to vehicle trim panels.

The above advantage and other advantages and features of the presentinvention will be readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial view of a representative application for an underseat cargo management system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a manually deployed cargo management system accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cargo management system having automaticallydeployed cargo hooks with a seat support strap according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cargo management system having a storagecompartment with integrated hanging cargo management devices accordingto one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a cargo management system having an open-endedstorage compartment with collapsible side panels and attached cargohooks according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various featuresof the present invention as illustrated and described with reference toany one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in oneor more other Figures to produce embodiments of the present inventionthat are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations offeatures illustrated provide representative embodiments for typicalapplications. However, various combinations and modifications of thefeatures consistent with the teachings of the present invention may bedesired for particular applications or implementations.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an under seat cargo management system 10according to one embodiment of the present invention includes foldableseats 12, 14 with seat 12 in a deployed or seating position and seat 14in the folded position, also referred to as the stowed or cargoposition. Foldable seats 12, 14 include a seat cushion and cover 18 anda back cushion and cover 20, 22, which may include one or more sectionsor portions as illustrated by the two-part back cushion and cover inFIG. 1. In the illustrated representative application, foldable seats12, 14 are positioned in a pick-up truck cab arrangement with asecondary vehicle component represented by a divider panel or the backof a forward facing bench seat 16. Of course, the present invention maybe used in a variety of seating configurations and is not limited toindividual folding seats, a back-to-back seating arrangement, ormultiple forward facing seats or rows of seats. For example, the presentinvention may also be applied to vehicles having a foldable seatattached to a bulk head, side panel, vehicle floor, or other portion ofa vehicle rather than to another seat or seating component. Additionalrepresentative applications may include vehicles having a second orthird row bench seat or split bench seat having a seat cushion thatfolds or pivots from a deployed or seating position generally parallelto the vehicle floor to accommodate an occupant, to a stowed or foldedposition generally perpendicular to the vehicle floor to accommodatecargo. A cargo management system according to the present invention isremovably or preferably fixedly attached to the bottom of the seat to besubstantially hidden from view when the seat is in the deployed orseating position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom or seat portion 18 of foldable orpivotable vehicle seats 12, 14 is connected to back portion 20 via oneor more hinges 24, 26 or similar devices that allow bottom portion 18 tomove between a seating position as represented by seat 12 to a stowed orcargo position as represented by seat 14. In a representativeapplication, the front portion of seats 12, 14 is supported by a seatriser or raised area of the vehicle floor when in the seating position.Seats 12, 14 include a cargo hanging device 28 implemented by a foldableflap 30 in this embodiment. Foldable flap 30 includes a first end 32preferably permanently secured to the underside of seat 14, such as bystitching to the seat cover, to facilitate pivoting or folding. Flap 30has a second end that includes an integrated retention device 34 adaptedfor attachment to a secondary vehicle component or device. In theillustrated embodiment, retention device 34 is implemented by anintegrated hook adapted for removable attachment to a head restraintpost 36 or similar device. Retention device 34 and/or another portion ofthe second end of flap 30 may include one or more cooperating latchingdevices 40, 42 to removably secure the second end to the underside ofseat 18 and maintain flap 30 in the stowed position. In one embodiment,latching devices 40, 42 are implemented by a hook-and-loop closure.

The cargo management system in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 ismanually deployed from the stowed position in FIG. 1 to the deployedposition in FIG. 2 by releasing the latching device 40, 42 and securingthe retaining element 34 to a secondary vehicle component, such as headrestraint post 36 as shown in FIG. 2. The deployed position of cargomanagement device 28 exposes one or more devices 44 having protrusions,projections, hooks, hangers, or the like represented by referencenumerals 46, 48, 50 adapted for hanging various types of cargo. Devices44 may be advantageously positioned relative to first end 32 of foldableflap 30 on the underside of seat 18 such that in the stowed positionillustrated in FIG. 1, devices 44 are positioned so they do notinterfere with the seat riser or raised area of the vehicle floor (notshown) when seats 12, 14 are in the seating position. When the cargomanagement system is deployed, device 44 pivots about first end 32 to ahigher position on seat bottom 18 to better accommodate hanging cargo.As such, in this embodiment, cargo hanging device 44 moves from a firstposition closer to hinges 24, 26 to provide clearance for a seat supportwhen in the stowed position to a second position farther from hinges 24,26 to better accommodate hanging cargo when cargo hanging device 44 isin the deployed position and seats 12, 14 are in the folded position. Inthe deployed position illustrated in FIG. 2, any load placed on device44 may be distributed between the fastener or seam along first end 32,and retention device 34. As shown in FIG. 1, the stowed position ofcargo management device 28 conceals devices 44 from view when thevehicle seats are in either the seating position represented by seat 12or the stowed position represented by seat 14.

An alternative embodiment of a cargo management system according to thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. This embodiment is similarto the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that it includes avehicle seat 18 pivotable via hinges 26 between a seating position (notspecifically shown) generally parallel to a vehicle floor and theillustrated cargo or stowed position generally perpendicular to thevehicle floor. Seat 18 includes a cargo hanging device 58 disposedbeneath and secured to the underside of the seat such that cargo hangingdevice 58 is substantially hidden from view when seat 18 is in thedeployed seating position. Unlike the device 44 (FIG. 2), cargo hangingdevice 58 is automatically deployed or accessible for use when seat 18is placed in the stowed position, i.e. no additional action is requiredby the user to reveal cargo hanging device 58. This feature also allowshanging device 58 to be used when seat 18 is in its seating or deployedposition.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, cargo hanging device 58 includes a baseportion 60 that may be permanently fixed to the underside of seat 18. Aplurality of hangers, hooks, or similar protrusions 62 extend from baseportion 60 to accommodate various types of hanging cargo. Althoughprotrusions 62 are illustrated as being similar in shape and generallyequally spaced, various configurations may be used depending upon theparticular application and implementation. An optional retaining elementimplemented by an elastomeric cord 64 and hook 66 may be provided tosecure seat 18 in the stowed position and accommodate a heavier hangingload on cargo hanging device 58 without unintentionally deploying seat18. Hook 66 or a similar device may be adapted for securing to asecondary vehicle component, such as head restraint post 36. Of course,those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize various other methodsof securing seat 18 in a stowed position other than using an auxiliaryretention or securing device as illustrated. For example, hinges 26 mayinclude a locking or latching mechanism to secure seat 18 in the stowedposition, or one or more straps may be provided to secure the bottomcushion to the back cushion of the seat 18, etc

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a cargo management system for avehicle according to the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 4,a cargo hanging device 68 secured to the underside of foldable seat 18includes a storage compartment 70. An access opening is provided with anoptional cover or door 72 to facilitate retention of cargo withinstorage compartment 70 when seat 18 is in either the deployed positionor folded position. Access cover 72 may be attached in any suitablemanner including a hinged arrangement as illustrated or a slidingarrangement, for example, to provide access to an interior portion ofthe compartment for stowing and retrieving cargo. Similarly, accesscover 72 may be made of a flexible material, netting, or cloth, forexample, to retain and conceal cargo stowed within storage compartment70. Similarly, one or more access openings may be provided in variouspositions and configurations on storage compartment 70 depending uponthe particular application and configuration. For example, storagecompartment 70 may be divided into two sections with access openingprovided on each side for a corresponding section rather than a singledoor on the face of the compartment.

In the representative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, storagecompartment 70 includes at least one protrusion, projection, hanger, orhook represented by reference numeral 74 that may be integrally formedwith storage compartment 68. Projections 74 are adapted to accommodatehanging cargo, particularly when the vehicle seat is in the foldedposition as shown.

Another embodiment of a cargo management system for a vehicle accordingto the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. A cargo hangingdevice 78 is disposed beneath and secured to foldable vehicle seat 18.Cargo hanging device 78 is preferably positioned to be substantiallyconcealed from view when seat 8 is in the seating position andsubstantially exposed or accessible when seat 18 is in the folded orcargo position as illustrated. In this embodiment, cargo hanging device78 includes a storage compartment 80 having a plurality of hooks 82adapted to accommodate hanging cargo secured to the face of storagecompartment 80 with an access opening 84 to facilitate storage andretrieval of cargo. Appropriate positioning of access opening 84facilitates retention of cargo stowed within storage compartment 80 whenseat 18 is in either the deployed position or the folded positionillustrated. Although not required, a cover or flap (not shown) may beprovided with an appropriate latching device to cover access opening 84and optionally conceal and retain any contents. Storage compartment 80includes collapsible sides 86 and a collapsible bottom (not shown) madeof flexible material or fabric so storage compartment 80 may be foldedsubstantially flat to increase available vehicle interior space whenstorage compartment 80 is not being used to stow cargo.

As can be seen from the various embodiments, the present inventionprovides a flexible cargo management feature that is concealed beneath avehicle seat and is therefore more aesthetically pleasing. In addition,the present invention may include various cargo management devices thatremain concealed from view until manually deployed, regardless ofwhether the vehicle seat is in a seating (deployed) position or foldedposition. The invention may combine a storage compartment and hooks orother hanging devices that can be used to secure cargo beneath the seatwhen the seat is in a folded position as well as when the seat is in thedeployed position. In addition, a cargo management system according tothe present invention may be integrated into the underside of a vehicleseat cover to facilitate a running-change implementation rather thanmaking relatively costly changes to vehicle trim panels.

While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described indetail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates willrecognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing theinvention as defined by the following claims.

1. A cargo management system for a vehicle, the system comprising: acargo hanging device disposed beneath and secured to an underside of avehicle seat, the vehicle seat being pivotable between a deployedseating position and a stowed position, the cargo hanging device beingsubstantially hidden from view when the vehicle seat is in the deployedseating position.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cargo hangingdevice comprises a plurality of hooks.
 3. The system of claim 2 whereinthe cargo management system further comprises a retention device securedto the vehicle seat and adapted for removable attachment to a secondaryvehicle component to retain the vehicle seat in the stowed position. 4.The system of claim 3 wherein the retention device comprises an elasticstrap having a hook at one end for securing to a vehicle seat headrestraint post.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the cargo hangingdevice comprises a foldable flap having a first end permanently securedto the underside of the vehicle seat and a second end attachable to asecondary vehicle component to expose the cargo hanging device when thevehicle seat is in the stowed position.
 6. The system of claim 5 whereinthe second end of the foldable flap includes a hook adapted forattachment to a head restraint post.
 7. The system of claim 5 whereinthe second end of the foldable flap is attachable to the underside ofthe vehicle seat to conceal the cargo hanging device when the vehicleseat is in either one of the seating position and the stowed position.8. The system of claim 1 wherein the cargo hanging device comprises astorage compartment having an access opening to stow and retrieve cargoand at least one protrusion extending from the storage compartmentadapted to hang cargo.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the storagecompartment includes a door to selectively cover the access opening. 10.The system of claim 8 wherein the storage compartment includescollapsible sides and a collapsible bottom.
 11. The system of claim 8further comprising a retention device fixable to the vehicle seat and asecondary vehicle component to secure the vehicle seat in a stowedposition.
 12. The system of claim 8 wherein the access opening is alongan upper edge of the storage compartment when the vehicle seat is in thestowed position.
 13. The system of claim 8 wherein the access opening isdisposed in a lateral face of the compartment and the at least oneprotrusion extends from an upper edge of the storage compartment whenthe vehicle seat is in the stowed position.
 14. A cargo managementdevice for a vehicle, the cargo management device comprising: a storagecompartment securable to an underside of a foldable vehicle seat havingan open seating position and a folded position, the storage compartmentincluding an access opening to stow and retrieve cargo, the storagecompartment having a plurality of projections extending therefrom andadapted to hang cargo when the vehicle seat is in the folded position.15. The cargo management device of claim 14 wherein the storagecompartment further includes a cover for the access opening tofacilitate retention of cargo in the storage compartment.
 16. The cargomanagement device of claim 14 wherein the storage compartment includescollapsible sides.
 17. The cargo management device of claim 14 whereinthe storage compartment is made of flexible material.
 18. A cargomanagement system for a vehicle, the cargo management system comprising:a vehicle seat pivotable between a seating position generally parallelto a vehicle floor and a cargo position generally perpendicular to thevehicle floor; and a cargo hanging device secured to an underside of thevehicle seat to be substantially concealed from view when the vehicleseat is in the seating position and substantially exposed when thevehicle seat is in the cargo position.
 19. The cargo management systemof claim 18 wherein the cargo hanging device comprises a storagecompartment having a plurality of projections extending therefrom toaccommodate hanging cargo, the storage compartment including a door toprovide access to an interior portion of the compartment for stowing andretrieving cargo.
 20. The cargo management system of claim 18 whereinthe cargo hanging device comprises a foldable panel permanently securedto a seat cover of the vehicle seat along one edge of the panel andincluding an integral hook adapted for securing to a head restraint postof a second vehicle seat, the foldable panel including a plurality ofprojections extending therefrom and adapted to hang cargo.